Muslim's Survival Guide to Christmas
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In the name of ALLAH, the Beneficent, the Merciful
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I N F O R M A T I O N & N E W S N E T W O R K
A Subsidiary of Pakistan News Service
Vol. 6 No. 32 Rajab 17 1415 Hijri Tuesday Dec. 20 1994
________________________________________________________________________________
Editor: M. I. Zahid Muslims@Asuacad.Bitnet
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SPECIAL BULLETIN ON JESUS, CHRISTIANITY AND CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
EDITORIAL
=========
We, the IINN staff, would like to extend our hand in friendship to all
Christians and wish them merry Christmas. We also wish happy new year
to all of our readers. We would also like to invite everyone to spare a
few moments of their life and read what the Holy Quran says about Mary
and Jesus (may peace be upon them). While we as Muslims believe that
the entire Qur'an is the word of God and we would like every one to
accept it as such, God Himself has given the freedom of religion which
we respect. With that in mind, all we hope is that non-Muslims will at
least enlighten themselves by knowing what Islam is. We hope that
Muslims, Christians and Jews will find ways to work together to bring
peace on earth by eradicating immorality, fear, hate, disease, poverty
and injustice. We hope that the following articles will be useful in
understanding basics of Islam as they pertain to Jesus, son of
Mary(peace be on them).
There is also a message for Muslims living as a minority in a
non-Muslim country. We hope these holidays will help them find time to
go back to the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be on him)
and the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them). As always we look
forward to your contributions and thoughts.
**********
+++++ CONTENTS +++++
**********
1. CHRISTIANITY, JESUS- AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
2. A MUSLIM'S SURVIVAL GUIDE for CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS(U.S.A. Edition)
3. SANTA CLAUS, NOT OF CHRISTIAN ORIGIN
4. 'JESUS IN ISLAM' BY AHMAD DEEDAT AVAILABLE ON A GOPHER SITE
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1. CHRISTIANITY, JESUS- AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
==============================================
Christmas holidays come and go each year with a lot of shopping,
hustle and bustle, Santa Claus, Christmas trees, decorations and
lights. The Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. In this
article, we will address the following questions relying mostly
on quotations from the Holy Quran:
What are the origins of Christianity?
Was Jesus born without a father?
Is Jesus a son of God?
Did Jesus speak as a baby?
Was he crucified?
THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY
---------------------------
Historical facts reveal that Jesus did not use the word
Christianity. He and his followers used to worship in the temple
which other Israelites used. The message of Jesus was to call
people back to the religion of Abraham and Moses from which they
had gone astray. After the disappearance of Jesus, Paul declared
that belief in Jesus sufficed for salvation. The Jewish scholars
of that time called the followers of prophet Jesus the misguided
sect of Nazarene or Galilaens. In 43 C.E., when Paul and Barnabas
went to Antioch to preach, they were ridiculed and were called
Christians by the masses. The ones who were called Christians
felt that if they are being given a name in reference to Jesus,
there is nothing wrong in accepting it. A present day analogy may
be the case of Muslims being called Mohammedans in the West and
Muslims giving in to the name.
PAUL ALTERED THE MESSAGE
------------------------
At the beginning, Paul was a staunch opponent of prophet
Jesus and remained so for many years after his ascension. When he
did join the followers of Jesus later on, he initiated many
alterations in the teachings of Jesus in hopes of winning over
the Gentiles (non-Jewish people). He introduced the following
concepts into Christianity:
1. the concept of Jesus as son of God;
2. Jesus died on the cross to wash eternal sins of Adam's
children through his blood; and
3. the Law of Torah was renounced. He eliminated all regulations
concerning food and abrogated the injunctions of circumcision.
The real followers of Jesus opposed these blatant
misrepresentations of the message of Jesus. Their struggle to
reject the notion of Divinity of Jesus continued for about two
hundred years. Since these alterations were very appealing to the
Gentiles, the true believers were unable to stop the misguidance.
In 325 C.E., a council of Christian leaders met at Nicaea
and officiated Paul's beliefs as their religion. Roman Empire
declared Paul's religion as the religion of the State and all
those books which denied these beliefs were banned. In 367 C.E.,
the State announced a list of books acceptable to it and fifteen
years later, a council held under the presidency of Pope Damasius
gave its approval to these books. At the end of the fifth
century, Pope Galasius published a list of unauthorized books
(Apocryphal) to further conform with Paul's religion of
Christianity.
JESUS BORN WITHOUT A FATHER
---------------------------
The true story of Jesus' birth from Mary is told in the Holy
Quran. We are told that he was born without a father by the
command of God. Mary was single and a chaste woman.
21:91 And (remember) her who guarded her chastity: We breathed
into her of Our Spirit, and We made her and her son a Sign for
all peoples.
19:16 Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew
from her family to a place in the East.
19:17 She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them: then
We sent to her Our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in
all respects.
19:18 She said: "I seek refuge from thee to (God) Most
Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear God."
19:19 He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to
announce) to thee the gift of a holy son."
19:20 She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has
touched me, and I am not unchaste?"
19:21 He said: "So (it will be): thy Lord saith, `That is easy
for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a
Mercy from Us': it is a matter (so) decreed."
19:22 So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a
remote place.
19:23 And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a
palm-tree: she cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died
before this! Would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of
sight!"
19:24 But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree):
"Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee;
19:25 "And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: it
will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.
19:26 "So eat and drink and cool (thine) eyes. And if thou
dost see any man, say, `I have vowed a fast to (God) Most
Gracious, and this day will I enter into no talk with any human
being.' "
JESUS SPOKE AS A BABY
---------------------
19:27 At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying
him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing
hast thou brought!
19:28 "O sister of Aaron! thy father was not a man of evil, nor
thy mother a woman unchaste!"
19:29 But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk
to one who is a child in the cradle?"
19:30 He said: "I am indeed a servant of God: He hath given me
revelation and made me a prophet;
19:31 "And He hath made me Blessed wheresoever I be, and hath
enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;
19:32 "(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing
or miserable;
19:33 "So Peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I
die, and the Day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"!
19:34 Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of
truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.
19:35 It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that He
should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a
matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.
19:36 Verily, God is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve
ye: this is a Way that is straight.
19:37 But the sects differ among themselves: and woe to the
Unbelievers because of the (coming) Judgment of a momentous Day!
HE BEGETS NOT!
--------------
We note that the Holy Quran refers to Jesus as 'Jesus ibn
Maryam', i.e., Jesus son of Mary. It is in contrast to the common
usage in which children are referred to by their father's name
and not by their mother's name. He is not a son of God. The
following chapter from the Holy Quran explains the position of
Islam in absolute terms:
SAY: "God is Unique!!
God, the Source [of everything].
He has not fathered anyone
nor was He fathered, and there
is nothing comparable to Him!"
(Chapter 112)
JESUS WAS NOT CRUCIFIED
-----------------------
The Holy Quran also rejects the claim that Jesus was killed on
the cross.
4:157 That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the
son of Mary, the Apostle of God"; but they killed him not, nor
crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those
who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain)
knowledge, but only conjecture to follow for of a surety they
killed him not.
4:158 Nay, God raised him up unto Himself; and God is Exalted
in Power, Wise.
4:159 And there is none of the People of the Book but must
believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Judgment He
will be a witness against them.
Based on the statements of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.),
Muslims believe that Prophet Jesus will return to earth at a time
when Muslims will be in a dire need of a leader. He will not
initiate a new religion but rather obey the Holy Quran and the
teachings of Prophet Muhammad and lead Muslims to victory over
the disbelievers.
We hope that this short essay will help our readers
understand the origins of Christianity and Islam's position on
Jesus. We encourage everyone to read the Holy Quran to obtain a
better understanding of Jesus and Islam. The Holy Quran also
gives a detailed account of the mission and lives of "Jewish"
prophets like Abraham and Moses. Altogether, twenty-five prophets
are mentioned by name in the Quran.
References:
1. Manual of Dawah for Islamic Workers, The Islamic Circle of
North America, 166-26 89th Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432.
(718)657-4090
2. The Message, monthly magazine by ICNA, December 1993 issue is devoted
fully to the Christianity.
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2. A MUSLIM'S SURVIVAL GUIDE for CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
===================================================
(U.S.A. Edition)
Christmas season is upon us. It is nice to enjoy a long
break from our work and schools and spend the time with the
family and friends. We may also find many good bargains at the
shopping malls. It is the season when millions of christmas
wreaths and trees add to the decor in and around the houses,
businesses and streets of every town in the country. Thousands of
Santas also come into life all around us. Children write letters
to Santa Claus asking for toys they want for Christmas. Many
civic and church organizations donate food and clothes to the
homeless and the needy. Toys are collected for children who have
no family or whose families can not afford the expenses. The
Jewish Hanukkah also falls in the same season.
While the rest of the country is busy and involved in these
celebrations and activities, what does a small minority of about
seven million Muslims do? Because Muslims are scattered
throughout the United States, small Muslim communities sometimes
find it difficult to practice their faith due to the lack of a
community of believers with whom to interact. Muslims may react
to non-Islamic feasts in three different ways. A good number of
Muslims feel that they can not indulge themselves in activities
which have pagan, Christian, Jewish or any origin other than
Islamic. Then there are those who participate in activities such
as Christmas tree decorations and placing toys under the trees
for their children to pick up in the morning of December 25th.
They may not hesitate in narrating the story of Santa Claus to
their kids or let them watch television programs about Christmas.
Yet another group may be those who are Muslims by name but had
never really practiced Islam and can be assumed lost in the
"mainstream" of America.
Can Muslims participate in Christmas celebrations or any
other similar events such as Halloween and Easter? We need to
look at the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad
(S.A.W.) to find an answer. A fundamental question may have to be
addressed here before saying anything else. Under what conditions
can a Muslim live in a non-Muslim society? This issue requires a
careful and detailed answer, which we shall leave for future
issues. One thing should be clear to those who have studied the
Quran carefully. It is the primary responsibility of a Muslim
living in a non-Muslim society to preach and present Islam
through their character and conduct. Islam should be a dominating
force within and around Muslims instead of being a submissive
entity. Islam should stand tall and distinct from un-Islamic ways
for everyone to see, admire and appreciate. As we look at the
life of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), we find that whenever there
was a chance of confusing events between Muslims and non-Muslims,
the Prophet made a clear separation. We see this in prayer times,
fasting and Eid festivals. We do not pray very close to sunrise
or sunset so it does not appear that we are worshipping the sun.
It is undesirable (Makrooh) to fast only on Saturday or Sunday.
The two biggest Islamic feasts are Eidul-Fitr and Eidul-Adha and
nothing else should replace the significance of their festivity.
Muslims in America need to get involved in caring for the
homeless and needy. They should develop institutions to provide
such a support. While giving charity and gifts is encouraged all
the times, Christmas season included, special occasions for
Muslims to give and launch campaigns should be Ramadan and Eidul
Adha days. The biggest gifts you would like to give to your
children or relatives and friends should not be the Christmas
time, but the times of Eids. This will help us develop a distinct
community, a caring community that will thus help present Islam
properly to the public.
Another point regarding the Christmas season is the position
of Jesus (PBUH) in Islam. If Christmas represents a feast of
celebration of the birthday of Jesus, then we should observe it
according to the Islamic principles and honor Jesus as a prophet
of God. Christmas trees and fairy tales of Santa Claus should
have nothing to do with such celebrations.
These holidays are a perfect time to pick up the Holy Quran and
other Islamic books and start reading. As the month of December
draws to a close, let us also pledge to be better Muslims, insha'
Allah. Our new year's eve should not be at a bar or a "party". It
should rather be at the prayer rug. If you are thinking of a
gathering at your house, consider reading the Holy Quran together
and an activity that involves remembrance of Allah as well.
HADITH:
"The best word is the Book of Allah, and the best
guidance is the guidance shown by Muhammad (S.A.W.). The worst
practice is the introduction of new elements in the Islamic
faith and every innovation amounts to heresy." (Muslim, Hadith
Number 170, Riyad Al-Saleheen)
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3. SANTA CLAUS, NOT OF CHRISTIAN ORIGIN
=======================================
Today in America, Santa Claus is a mythical old man who
brings gifts to children at Christmas time. Today's version of
Santa originally developed from a real person, Saint Nicholas,
who lived 1700 years ago. He was bishop of Myra, an ancient town
of Lycia, now in Turkey. According to legend, he was only a boy
when he became a bishop. He was extremely kind and often went out
at night, taking presents to the needy. His generosity was not
bound by any particular time of the year. He was much loved by
his community for his kindness and selflessness. After his death
on the 6th day of December, school boys all over Europe
celebrated a feast day every year on the anniversary of his
death. Children were so fond of Saint Nicholas and his habit of
bringing gifts that the custom of celebrating his feast day on
the 6th day of December was maintained for hundreds of years.
In England, Saint Nicholas Day festivities were banned when
Henry VIII founded the church of England. They were later resumed
when Queen Victoria married German Prince Albert, but Saint
Nicholas in his return was changed to Father Christmas and
appeared on Christmas eve, the 24th day of December, not the
originally celebrated date of December 6. The American tradition
of santa Claus was taken from the altered English version.
Santa Claus (a German translation of St. Nicholas) was
modeled after a man of kindness, generosity and compassion. It
was only in the last few hundred years that Santa Claus was
associated with the Christian holiday of Christmas that
celebrates the birthday of Prophet Jesus.
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4. JESUS IN ISLAM BY DEEDAT
===========================
The well-known book by Ahmad Deedat, a Muslim scholar of the Christian
Bible, is available on-line by a gopher server.
1. Log on as:
gopher latif.com 70
2. From the main menu select
Best of MSA-Net Database
The text can be downloaded.
___________________________________________________________________
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